Table



Aug. 17, 1937. F. R. STEARNS TABLE Filed May 27, 1935 INVENTOR. Freeman R. Jfd/"fld ATT0RNEY$ Patented Aug. 17, 1937 UNITED STATES 'TABLE Freeman R. Stearns, Ludington, .Mich., assignor to The Carrom Company, Ludington, Mich.

Application May 27, 1935, Serial No. 23,675

4 Claims.

The objects of this invention are:

First, to simplify and cheapen the construction of a table while at the same time. improving its quality and appearance.

Second, to provide an improved table top.

Third, to provide an improved reveal structure in a table top.

Further objects and objects pertaining to economies of construction will definitely appear from the description to follow.

Preferred embodiments of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a foldable table constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail inverted plan view of one corner of the table with the legs collapsed.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 2, showing details of construction.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail showing the securing of the center leatherette covering to the table top.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view through the corner part taken on lines 55 of i Figs. 1 and 6.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail plan view of one corner of the table, the leatherette covering being omitted and the inlay in the groove extension appearing.

Fig. '7 is a .detail sectional view similar to Fig. 3 of a modification of my construction.

The parts in the drawing will be identified by their numerals of reference which are the same in all thel views.

I is the side rail of the table. The side rails are disposed on each side of the square table illustrated. 2 is the main top sheet of the table top, it being preferably made of plywood, al-

though any broad board might be used. 3 is a portion of a supporting strip preferably of plywood, to support the comparatively thin top of plywood, it being placed under the kerf to strengthen the board at that point, this being the preferred construction illustrated in Fig. 3, because of its economizing of material. In Fig. 7, I show this supporting strip 3', there also shown as plywood, extending to the margin of the table top and disposed upon the side rail, which makes an extremely strong table. This supporting piece is preferably glued and also nailed, the nails being from the bottom up so that they do not project through the top surface of the table.

Spaced equally from each margin of the table are kerfs, the central portion 5 being for the attachment of the leatherette or other flexible top 4 to the table and for convenience of construction being extended at 5' entirely to the margin 5 of the tab-1e. The leatherette or flexible top is rolled into this groove by a well known method as detailed in Fig. 4. The groove preferably does not extend through the bottom layer of the plywood, as illustrated.

Before this leatherette covering is rolled in, I insert an inlay which, as illustrated in Fig. 6, is of hard rubber and, as illustrated in Fig. 5, is of any suitable wood which preferably contrasts with the table top to lend finish at this 15 point and to restore the full strength to the part weakened by the kerf.

The table top thus constructed is supported on collapsible legs 8 of the usual construction. Each leg is pivoted at 9 to a bracket l0 provided with a brace H and with a locking brace i2 pivoted at I3 and sliding through the pivoted latch part [4, all of usual construction. As my invention does not pertain to these, I have not described the same in detail. They are definitely illustrated in Fig. 2.

The table top is available for any kind of table, but is especially desirable for the folding leg table that I have illustrated. By the use of this top, very light material is made use of. Precision cut of the material other than the kerfs spaced from the margin is entirely avoided. As a saw kerf is precise anyhow, it can be located and effectively done at any stage; it should not sever the margin, but simply be a kerf in the upper surface of the top. By this means, very light materials are used, but the structure is very stanch when assembled.

The reveal is very plain and the inlays at the corner in the kerf extensions are very ornamental. The kerf to the edge could be omitted and its advantage be lost.

In Fig. '7 is illustrated a modification in which the supporting part 3, indicated as 3', extends to the margin of the table. It gives extra weight and strength at that point with, of course, the use of the extra material which is saved in the regular construction.

I desire to claim the structure specifically and broadly as pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A table top composed of suitable side rails, a plywood top secured thereto, kerfs cut in the plywood parallel to the margin and extended entirely across from edge to edge to form a border or reveal, a flexible covering rolled into the central part of the kerfs, an inlay inserted into the extension beyond the covering, and reinforce strips extending across and opposed to the areas of the kerfs.

2. A table top composed of suitable side rails, a plywood top secured thereto, kerfs cut in the plywood parallel to the margin and extended entirely across from edge to edge to form'a border or reveal, a flexible covering rolled into the central part of the kerfs, and reinforce strips 'ex-' tending across and opposed to the areas of the j kerfs.

3. In a table structure, the combination of side rails, a polygonal top with kerfs formed therein and spaced from the outside to form a border, a support extending from each of the side rails beneath the border and the kerf portions, a flexible covering rolled into the central part of the kerfs, and inlays inserted in the kerfs across the border.

4. In a table structure, the combination of side rails, a polygonal top with kerfs formed therein and spaced from the outside to form a. border, a. support disposed beneath the border and the kerf portions, a flexible covering rolled into the central part of the kerfs, and inlays inserted in the kerfs across the border.

FREEMAN R. STEARNS. 

